Shihan Ruriko Masutani Passes Away
Posted 5/16/2018 2:30pm [from Matthew Streiff]
Sad news that Shihan Ruriko "June" (Masutani) Harris, of Springdale, PA, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018. Also known as Ruriko Masutani, June was the beloved friend of Nigel Beckford, Matt Streiff, Alan Pelton, Skip Fox, Bob Intrieri, Martin Pachol, Greg Yakich, Barbara Brandom, Will Graves, Jim Weldon; step-mother of Darla Liston and family. June was the proud founder and executive director of Aikido of Pittsburgh. Shihan Ruriko Masutani founded Aikido of Pittsburgh in 1968 after she emigrated from Japan as a Christian exchange student. Born in Himeji, Japan, Shihan Masutani began practicing Aikido as a child in the early 1950’s under the guidance of her father. After moving to the United States and finally settling in Pittsburgh, Shihan Masutani continued training and began teaching seminars up and down the east coast. She taught Aikido in Pittsburgh for over 48 years.
Along the way she has made many friends and taught thousands of students. In Pittsburgh she opened dojos in East Liberty, Squirrel Hill, Fox Chapel and finally Etna. June had a special way with people, students, teachers, people on the street, nurses and caregivers… she was always known and always loved by those she touched.
Her journey in life has had Aikido and martial arts threaded throughout. From her early years as part of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) then a member of the Aikido of Ueshiba association and her later years as an independent instructor, Masutani Sensei always sought to give her students and friends the best, regardless of affiliations and associations.
June was always a very independent person. Austere in many ways, she cut away frivolousness and got to the heart of training or relationships. She built a community in the Aikido and martial arts world that has a lasting legacy in those that she taught. She will be missed but will forever be remembered.
Celebrate June’s life with her friends at a memorial service on Sunday June 3, 2018 at 2 PM at Aikido of Pittsburgh, 401 Butler Street, Pittsburgh PA 15223. Arrangements made by Perman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 923 Saxonburg.
In addition to the memorial service on Sunday June 3rd, the senior instructors of Aikido of Pittsburgh will hold a memorial Aikido seminar in her honor later in 2018. The burial will take place after that seminar.
Please check the Aikido of Pittsburgh website, www.aikidopittsburgh.org, or our Facebook page for more details on the seminar and burial date.

Seminar: Toshiro Suga, 7th Dan, 1-3rd June 2018
Posted 5/16/2018 2:30pm [from Scott Reed]
Toshiro Suga began aikido in 1968 at Hombu Dojo and moved to France in 1971. He was a senior student of Tamura Nobuyoshi Sensei and gives seminars all over the world. Please join us for his annual course in Edinburgh, Scotland!

Seminar: 5/18-5/20/2018: Seminar with Ikeda Sensei, Nashville TN
Posted 4/08/2018 7:09pm [from Marta Crispens]
30th Anniversary Seminar with Ikeda Sensei . Nashville Aikikai will be hosting a seminar to celebrate Tom and Mary McIntire Senseis' 30 years of teaching Aikido in Nashville on May 18, 19, and 20. Please join us for great training, fellowship, and cake. Seminar cost is $130 or $40 per class. There will be a taco bar dinner on Saturday night, $15 per person. Please preregister at nashaikikai278@gmail.com so we can get a headcount for dinner. Payment will be accepted at the door.

Seminar: Aikido Shinju-Kai 30th Anniversay Seminar in Singapore, 6-8 April 2018
Posted 2/28/2018 7:47pm [from Alexander Lee]
Train with Aikido Masters across 20 over countries. Expecting more than 25 countries with an estimate of 1200 local and foreign participants.
The seminars will be conducted by 12 internationally-renowned Shihans, all with diverse backgrounds. 11 of them hold the Shihan Title (Master Instructor).
The event will commence with a two and a half day seminar beginning at Noon on Friday 6th April followed by an Embukai (public demonstration), on the afternoon of Sunday 8th April 2018, and concluding with an Anniversary Gala Dinner graced by local dignitaries and over 800 foreign and local guests at the five-star Mandarin Orchard Ballroom on the evening of Sunday 8th April 2018.
An important aspect of the Aikido Shinju-Kai 30th Anniversary Seminar(ASK30) is the visit by Waka Sensei Mitsuteru Ueshiba, the great grandson of the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. His visit signifies Singapore as an important centre for the practice of aikido. Along with Waka Sensei, there will also be other distinguished Shihans, Senseis, overseas guests, local dignitaries and other VIPs.

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